Fish diversity in the Nile system and ephemeral water bodies in Sudan: Records and a review

Abstract

Freshwater fish diversity in the Nile and its tributaries, associated man-made Lakes and ephemeral water bodies in Sudan was investigated. There are 134 freshwater fish species falling in 64 genera and 27 families. The country fish fauna contains a mixture of Nilo-Sudanic and lower Nile basin to the South. The relative abundance showed that there are at least 111 species in White Nile, 73 in Blue Nile, 36 in Dinder River, 38 in Atbara River and 63 in the Nile. There are three introduced species Gambosia affinis, Gibelion catla and Oreochromis urolepis. In inland ephemeral water bodies five killifish were described from the Nuba mountains and Aphinus (= Cyprinodon) dispar was described from Khor Arbat few Km North of Port Sudan. The endemic species amount to 12+. The taxonomic status of 13 potentially new species need to be established.